South Padre: December 2024

It must true; the older we get the faster time flies. Only a few weeks ago we were experiencing the transition of summer to fall fishing patterns and here we are headed into December. The single greatest influence affecting fishing patterns this month will be the more frequent arrival of cold fronts. While some fronts might last only a day or two and relatively mild temperature-wise, others might be more severe, lasting several days, with prolonged cloud cover and much colder temperatures. Adapting our fishing strategies to the way fish will react to each of these weather systems will be the key to successful fishing in the weeks that lie ahead.

Each passing frontal system will produce a decline in the level of the tides and water temperatures. The greater the severity of the event, the more likely we will see our fish becoming concentrated in deeper water and the longer they will remain there. Areas to focus on will be deeper flats adjacent to old oil field cuts, edges of the ICW, and the jetties. These will all be worth looking at this month.

Generally speaking, right after a cold front and as high atmospheric pressure sets in, we can expect bluebird skies, the wind will become light or completely calm, and the water will become flat as glass. If you desire to learn winter fish patterns, a quick and easy way is to look for V-wakes as you run the flats. Pay attention to whether the fish making the wakes are redfish, trout, or both. How far are those fish from the ICW? Is there also bait present in the same areas? The depth where you see the most wakes will aid you in knowing what depth the fish desire, and be sure to make note of the water temperature so that you may target other areas with the same temperature.

Redfish are still running in smaller schools, seemingly more plentiful north of the Arroyo Colorado than to the south in the Lower Laguna. As the tide drops somewhat and the sun rises higher in the sky, they will retreat to the grass flats in slightly deeper water. Since the water will be cooler this month, the redfish will likely begin feeding later in the morning hours. Seeing and targeting them while they feed in clear water can be great fun. It's a sight-caster's dream! This pattern will continue this month, especially during the warming trend right after the passing of a cold front.

On colder days, focus on muddier bottoms, deeper holes, and edges of the ICW. The colder it gets, the more predictable the redfish will become. Fishing for redfish will take a turn for the better this month.

Trout are far more sensitive to cooler weather than redfish, which can drastically change their movements and feeding habits. Water temps dipping to the upper-50s and lower-60s for prolonged periods will cause them to become lethargic and likely to not feed regularly until they acclimate to the drop in temperature. Saying that, they will also be quick to begin prowling the edges of flats near deeper water as soon as a warming trend begins to develop. Often, by the second warm day, they are back to lying in sandy potholes and have resumed normal feeding.

A good strategy for targeting trout in potholes is to avoid spooking them by plopping the lure right in the middle of the pothole. These fish are keenly aware of their surroundings and any unnatural noise will send them scurrying. I recommend the recently introduced four-inch version of ZMan's Big Ballerz, and also their five-inch StreakZ – both in the Space Guppy color. The cast should be landed far enough away to avoiding spooking, and then drawing the lure toward the pothole. A slow retrieve bounced off the bottom will draw reaction strikes, even from wary fish.

I would say our prospects for the coming trophy trout season are very promising as we are already landing some very nice fish during late fall. As all diehard trout aficionados know, the colder it gets the better the trophy trout potential will become, and December is only the beginning.

December is also the greatest month for giving of gifts and I would like to make a suggestion if you might be looking for something really nice for that special angler in your life. Visit one of Fishing Tackle Unlimited's stores in the Houston area. Each location has plenty of everything fishing related, including their wonderful G2 Green rods. Merry Christmas!